Last night Sky Arts showed a tribute to Jim Capaldi – the Traffic drummer and lyricist. Jim, with Steve Winwood founded Traffic in Birmingham back in 1967.

This version was sung by Joe Walsh at the Roundhouse in 2007 for Jim’s tribute concert.

“John Barleycorn” is an English folksong. The character of John Barleycorn in the song is a personification of the important cereal crop barley, and of the alcoholic beverages made from it, beer and whisky. In the song, John Barleycorn is represented as suffering attacks, death, and indignities that correspond to the various stages of barley cultivation, such as reaping and malting.

The song has had many variations over the centuries including this version by Traffic which appeared on the album of the same name.